Selecting Your Team

(Page 13)

By Todd Curran

Towns should be run like a business and voting is the hiring process, but what qualities are you looking for when you “hire” a leader?
Too often voters get hung up on a particular issue, supporting a team of candidates whose platform consists of a single hot topic that will be resolved in a few months. What about the remainder of that three year term? Does your team possess financial skills, law experience, government knowledge or other attributes that will benefit the Town through responsible leadership?
Take Hazel McCallion, the 89 year-old mayor of Mississauga, Ontario. There's a reason why she has held the office since 1978 and got re-elected in November 2006 for her 11th consecutive term by a 92% majority of votes. She's even been re-elected without needing to conduct an actual campaign. What qualifications make her such an exceptional leader?
Her principles are grounded in the belief that a city should be run like a business; encouraging the business model of governance. Her family's business background, her education and prior career in a corporation prepared her to approach government with a business model. Mississauga is debt-free, hasn't had to borrow money since 1978 and now has millions of dollars in surplus!
Hazel began her political career as Chair of the Streetsville Planning Board in 1967, and after winning a local office and being appointed to another, she was elected as Streetsville's mayor in 1970. By the time she was elected mayor of Mississauga, Hazel had sat on virtually every committee in the Peel Region and the city of Mississauga. She has also served on the executive boards of many federal and provincial committees and associations.
Adding to Hazel's success and the growth of Mississauga is her focus on the Big Picture rather than a specific issue, making long-term plans rather than short-term. Under her leadership, the construction of Square One shopping centre at an ideal location within the city has evolved into a hub of commercial and recreational activity. The citizens of Mississauga now have access to over 18,000 businesses. I like that tax base!
Her popularity is a direct result of the prosperity she brings to the citizens and she delivers it with integrity. She refuses to accept political donations, instead encouraging her supporters to donate the money to charity. Hazel and her team are a testament that experience and character can make powerful, positive and prosperous changes for a community.
It's nothing short of amazing what our leaders can accomplish – if we select the right ones. Challenging issues come and go, but superior leaders are consistent. Applicable skills. Integrity. Long-term planning and strategic implementation. Operating in the best interest of the people. These are the qualities to look for while selecting your team. These are the leaders we need to flourish as a community.